Lori R. Hembree

July 28, 1960 - June 13, 2022

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Bent Oak Church

2438 East Cherry

Springfield, Missouri 65802

Sunday 6/19, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Bent Oak Church

2438 East Cherry

Springfield, Missouri 65802

Monday 6/20, 10:00 am

Turners Cemetery

Monday 6/20

Lori Hembree, residing in Springfield, Missouri, passed away on June 13, 2022, after living valiantly with cancer for several months. Lori’s strength, love, humor, and kindness are forever remembered and honored by her husband, Mike; daughter, Lauren; mom, Edith; sister, Denise; her pups, Bella and Crickette; a loving extended family; a network of cherished colleagues and students; and innumerable friends.

Lori had the heart of a warrior: in love, in prayer, in protection for family, friends, colleagues, and students. She radiated a heart of genuinely unselfish joy for others’ triumphs, and she sat in the trenches of others’ fears and heartaches with prayer, empathy, and love. Lori was thoughtful and gracious, precious and fierce, giving and thankful, funny and sincere, beautiful and humble. The testimony of endless, bottomless love she had for her Father has undoubtedly planted countless seeds that will continue to blossom for generations.

Visitation and funeral will be held at Bent Oak Church (2438 E. Cherry Street, Springfield, Missouri 65802). Visitation will be on Sunday, June 19, from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Funeral will be on Monday, June 20, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Lori to the Cooper Clinic at the Humane Society of Southwest Missouri via the following link:

https://www.swh.org/giving.html. (On the donation form, please note, “In memory of Lori Hembree. Restricted for the Cooper Clinic.)

Greenlawn

Ceci Austin

Jim and Sylvia Bosley

Tammie Hitchcock

Liz Powell

Jerry & Linda Burrus

Liz Stevens

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Bent Oak Church

2438 East Cherry

Springfield, Missouri 65802

Map

Sunday 6/19, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Send Flowers & Gifts

Bent Oak Church

2438 East Cherry

Springfield, Missouri 65802

Map

Monday 6/20, 10:00 am

Send Flowers & Gifts

Turners Cemetery

Monday 6/20

Send Flowers & Gifts

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Lauren, we are so sorry to hear of the passing of your amazing mom. You & your family are in our thoughts and prayers. In celebration of her, and your love of animals, we are making a donation to the Cooper Clinic in her name. Sending big hugs and so much love, today and always. She is smiling down on you each and every moment.

My heart goes out to the entire family. I’m so very sorry for your loss of such a kind soul.

I taught with Lori for three years at Westport. My words for Lori are first gentle, then kind and most of all devoted. Her devotion to God, her family and her students was unsurpassed. We have all been blessed by her presence and I feel grateful for that. Well done good and faithful servant.

Dear Mike! So sorry to hear of your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

In memory of Lori R. Hembree, Ceci Austin lit a candle

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

Mike: I am so sorry to hear about Lori. I think I had only met her one or twice. I will be thinking of you and the family. God Bless and take care. Steve and Lesa Brown

So very sorry for the passing of Lori. She was a special lady who will be deeply missed. Prayers for her family.

Mrs Hembree was an excellent teacher to My Daughter Christina Hitchcock and Years later to My Granddaughter Maddie Willis ... Your legacy will go on thru many students that you taught so gracefully and encouraged them w believing in each and every student that you taught ... Your simply was AMAZING And BEAUTIFUL in every way ... RIH Sweet Lori ... God has you now ... No more pain ever ????????????

I’m remembering all the wonderful words you’ve shared with me about your mom, Lauren. I wish I had the pleasure of meeting her. Allow yourself time to grieve. Your mom will continue to shine in your, guiding you to persevere in life.

Mike and Lauren, we are so sorry for your loss.

I was in mid-sentence when the Memory of Lori I was writing mysteriously was submitted. I'll finish here. I am grateful, too, to simply have watched Lori go about life as a disciple of Christ. Her discipleship permeated all she did in life--the words she spoke, her demeanor, her life of ongoing conversation with God, the way Lori treated others, her smile, ... She was a living example of something St. Francis of Assisi said, "Preach the Gospel always; use words only when necessary." May God raise Lori up to new and eternal life with Him forever :)

Lori's obituary is so completely spot on about the person she was. I have never met a more wholesome and genuine human being. My wife, Sharon, told me that Lori (Phipps) and I attended Kickapoo High School together in 1977-78. Lori graduated in 1978 and I in 1979. To my knowledge--and unfortunately--we never met in that school of 1200+ students. Sharon shared with me that Lori had told her that she was shy and reserved at Kickapoo. The same was true for me that year, except that I was super-shy, super-reserved, and had the social skills of a 2 by 4 board. Had Lori and I met, I can imagine the conversation going something like ."this: Lori, "Hi." Me, "Hi." Long, awkward pause. Lori, "Nice talking to you." Me, "You, too." Lori and I did meet, fortunately, in Westport Elem. School in Nov. 1991. Yes, the conversation had more content than the above. I was blessed to be around Lori for the remainder of that school year and the following one. Lori was instrumental in introducing me to my future wife, Sharon Chesler, as they team-taught at that time and were good friends. I am grateful to Lori for that. I am grateful, too, to have simply watched Lori go about life

Lori is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. We first became acquainted when my father-in-law (her principal) found out she was pregnant and told her I would sell her my baby furniture. So she bought it and my “baby” quickly got promoted to a big boy bed. . Our lives reconnected when we both were reading interventionists. I always loved seeing which “Life is Good” shirt she would would be wearing. Then after I retired we met a few times for late lunches and she introduced me to food trucks! She touched so many lives and Heaven definitely gained an angel. I will honored to make a donation in her memory to the Humane Society.

In memory of Lori R. Hembree, Liz Powell lit a candle

I had the honor to work with Lori the last 14 years in Springfield Public Schools. Lori served as one of our Title I Reading Recovery Interventionists supporting our most at risk students. Lori was one who shone her light and brightened up our world. Even in her last days, she continued to ask about others while she battled pain. For those of us who had the opportunity to see her work with her students, you saw something special. After I observed her instruction, I always left feeling in awe. Her instruction was powerful and explicit while deep care and concern was evident for each student that she touched. This fall, Lori Rogers and I got to be in the same teaching space at Bissett. Those K and 2nd grade kiddos always wanted to come learn with her. Giggles and a whole lot of learning was happening! I will miss her and yet I am so honored and thankful to have been a part of her journey.

In memory of Mrs. Lori R. Hembree, Jerry & Linda Burrus lit a candle

I'm very very sad for this great loss in your lives. Thankful to God for his mercy in calling her to heaven. She nows stands and bows in the glorious eternal presence of God's Kingdom. I'm so thankful for the blessing she was to so many. She had a strong faith. One day we will all meet again. Rest in peace, Lori. May God guide all of your loved ones through this time of loss.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.

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Lori R. Hembree